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Quality Workmanship!

Each job has to follow a set of rules - specifications. This is to ensure consistently good results from job to job.

Please look through our job specifications to see what you would be getting for your next job.

HISTORIC SPECIFICATIONS - MASONRY REPOINTING


Cement Mouldings

1. Add hydraulic cement to lime putty and aggregate mix immediately before the use of the mortar. Lime and aggregate may be mixed previously and stored in sealed containers.

2. Putty will be made using hydrated lime and water. The mass is stirred and hoed to form a thick cream. Mix is allowed to stand at least 24 hours before use and stored in sealed containers.

3. Use all mortar within two hours of mixing. Do not re-temper mortars after this time has elapsed.

4. Batch materials with wooden boxes or plastic pails of known volume to ensure standardization and conformity of measurement. Shovel measurement of materials is not acceptable. Boxes should be of such a size that a batch sufficient for one mixer load is measured out.

5. Mix lime putty and aggregate mixture for five minutes before adding any required cement and pigment.

6. Add required portion of cement and mix for three to five minutes.

7. At this point, add small measured amounts of water, if necessary, to bring the mix to a plastic state that is just wet enough to hand on a trowel. It is then ready to use.

8. Record the amount of water required in initial batches and provide the mixer with a marked container.

9. Mixing mortars for a total of at least ten minutes before using improves workability, increases air entrainment, and plasticity. Ensure thorough mixing.

10. Clean all mixing boards and mechanical mixing machines between batches.

11. Ensure that masons refrain from using too wet a mix. Only water lost through evaporation should be replaced at the mortar-board by the mason. A spray bottle of water may be used for this purpose.

12. Mortar mix shall be type "0", consisting of: one part white portland cement, two parts lime, and eight parts well-graded washed sand. Match texture and range of aggregate sizes as closely as possible.